A TOWN church has received an award for its environmentally friendly efforts.

St Michael’s Church, in Braintree, has earned a bronze eco-church award from Christian environmental charity A Rocha UK.

The award is part of the charity’s Eco Church Scheme, where churches can earn points after taking a survey about how they include environmental care into everyday practices.

Churches can earn points in five categories, worship and teaching, buildings, land, community and global engagement and lifestyle.

Any church participating in the award scheme must demonstrate its commitment to caring for the world in an environmental way through the categories.

Braintree and Witham Times: Environmental awareness - the church's exhibition at the libraryEnvironmental awareness - the church's exhibition at the library (Image: St Michael's Church)

St Michael’s Church has earned enough points for a bronze award and was presented the award by Simon Brown from the charity last Sunday.

In November, St Michael’s Church staged an exhibition at Braintree Library and in George Yard on how to make your garden wildlife-friendly.

It drew on the work the church has done in the gardens surrounding its church hall and distributed 150 packets of wildflower seeds and dozens of factsheets from Essex Wildlife Trust.

Church vicar Rev Nigel Adams said: “We believe God created our amazing world and it is humanity’s responsibility to care for it and use its resources wisely.

“We are delighted to have our contribution to this marked by this bronze award and are already working towards the silver award.”